Getting an Autism (ASD) Diagnosis for your child
This guide provides information on how to obtain a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in British Columbia through public health. An Autism diagnosis not only helps your family to better understand your child’s developmental journey, but also provides your family with access to provincial funding for vital therapeutic services and equipment using Autism Funding. Qualifying services for Autism in BC include Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and others.
There are 4 steps to diagnose, fund and treat ASD:
- Step 1: Referral from family doctor
- Step 2: BC Autism Assessment
- Step 3: Application for Funding
- Step 4: Find your child’s therapy team
Step 1 – Family Doctor Referral
If you suspect your child may have Autism, the first step is to speak to your family doctor. A physician’s referral is required to receive an appointment for a diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder in BC. Your doctor will either refer you to a qualified professional (such as a pediatrician or psychiatrist) or directly refer your child for an assessment at the BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) at Sunny Hill Health Centre. BCAAN will then contact families with an appointment time. As of the time of writing, the current average wait time for an Autism assessment in Vancouver is 73.8 weeks.
In order to best prepare for your initial visit to your family doctor, you should first learn the steps involved to receiving a diagnosis of Autism in BC. If you’re reading this article, you’re off to a great start! Here are some other ways you can prepare for your initial family doctor visit:
- Begin by asking your doctor for a referral to BCAAN for an assessment of Autism for your child
- Let your doctor know your specific concerns and observations and why you believe your child has Autism (it can be helpful to bring a list)
- Bring any letters or reports from professionals who have worked with your child (Speech-Language Pathologist, preschool teacher, etc.)
More information about BCAAN and wait times can be found here
National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System Report
As of 2018, the estimated prevalence of Autism in Canadian children was 1 in 66; 1 in 42 for boys and 1 in 189 for girls.
Step 2 – Your child’s BCAAN Assessment
You can expect your child’s diagnostic appointment to take approximately 3 hours. The appointment involves two parts: a detailed parent interview (preferably both parents/caregivers are present) and an interview/interactive observation session with your child. Both parts will be run by either a pediatrician, psychiatrist, or psychologist. There is no cost for the BCAAN assessment. Note: Portions of the appointment may be completed over the phone or through video conferencing.
The BCAAN team may require additional testing to make their final diagnosis. This may include speech-language pathologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and/or medical evaluations. If this is the case, these appointments will be booked for you at community-based public health units. However, it is possible that no further assessment is required and the results of your child’s assessment will be discussed with you at the end of the appointment.
If a diagnosis of Autism is received, a Clinical Outcomes Form will be provided to you immediately. This form is the official document you will provide to prove that your child has been diagnosed with Autism and you will need to supply it during the application for funding. Your referring family doctor will also receive a diagnostic report in the mail.
Step 3 – Accessing Autism Funding through the BC Ministry of Child and Family Services
Families with children who are diagnosed with Autism in the province of BC are eligible to access funding for eligible therapeutic services and equipment using their Autism Funding.
In order to apply for funding, you first need to contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to schedule an appointment with a children and youth with special needs worker. He or she will request that you bring the following documents to the appointment:
- Proof of child’s age
- Your child’s BC Services Card
- Application for Autism Funding Form
- Clinical Outcomes Form (given to you following the assessment at BCAAN)
Following this meeting, you will receive your Autism Funding Agreement in the mail within 2-4 weeks. You need to SIGN and RETURN both copies to the Autism Funding Branch (address on form). Once the AFB has received your forms, you will be sent a “Welcome to Autism Funding” letter which details the funding amount available. As of 2021, children aged 0-6 receive annual funding in the amount $22,000 and children aged 6-19 receive $6,000.
Families may wish to register for an account online where they can manage their child’s Autism funding and submit documents electronically. Families can do that the BC Government’s Autism Funding site.
Step 4 – Finding your child’s therapy team
Once you have secured funding, it is up to you to seek out service providers including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and others. A number of resources are listed below to help you find service providers.
It is important to know that for children aged 0-6, Autism funding can only be used for services provided by professionals listed on the Registered Autism Service Providers (RASP). For children 6 and up, service providers do not need to be on the RASP.
The RASP is a managed list of qualified service providers who work with children under the age of 6 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The professionals on this list meet specific standards and qualifications set by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in BC. These service providers range from Behavior Consultants (who design and monitor intervention plans) to Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), who play a crucial role in helping young children with autism develop effective communication skills.
Once families have found a service provider, they will need to fill out a Request-to-Pay form and submit this to the Ministry via the online portal or email. Once approved, service providers submit their invoices directly to the Autism Funding Branch and pay the service provider directly. RTP forms expire in the month of your child’s birthday, so it’s important to remember to resubmit every year.
Arbutus Speech Therapy provides speech therapy services to children with autism. If you are based in BC and would like to discuss your child with a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist, you can book a free phone consultation. We look forward to speaking with you!
Useful Resources to find Service Providers
- For Speech-Language Pathology services in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, contact Arbutus Speech Therapy for more information or a free initial consultation
- To find an Occupational Therapist in BC, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists maintains a directory of accredited professionals
- To find a Physiotherapist in BC, the Canadian Alliance of Therapy Regulators maintains a similar directory called ‘Find A Physio’
- Registry of Autism Service Providers in British Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are some of the early signs of Autism?
Here are some early signs of Autism from the Ministry of Children and Family Development website:
Social interaction
- Lack of appropriate eye gaze
- No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or older
- Lack of sharing interest or enjoyment
- Lack of response to name
- Difficulty understanding non-verbal cues
- Difficulty building age-appropriate friendships
Communication
- No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months
- Lack of showing gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months
- Lack of coordination of non-verbal communication
- Non-verbal or responds inappropriately in conversations
- No babbling by 12 months
- Unusual voice quality that includes little variation in pitch, odd intonation or irregular rhythm
Repetitive behaviours or restricted interests
- Repetitive movements with objects
- Repetitive movements or posturing of body, arms, hands or fingers
- Overly dependent on routines
- Highly sensitive to changes in the environment
- Strongly attached to objects
Is there an online self-assessment for Autism in toddlers?
Yes, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers – Revised and Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) is available to parents with children between the ages of 16-30 months of age. This questionnaire determines a child’s risk assessment for Autism or developmental delay.
What if I don’t have a family doctor?
If you do not already have a family doctor, you should navigate to the BC College of Family Physician’s website or call Healthlink BC (8-1-1).
What should I do if my family doctor wants to take the “wait and see” approach and/or doesn’t refer my child for an Autism assessment?
Given that wait list times can span well over a year and that early intervention services for children with Autism is crucial to their development, we strongly believe that it is a parent’s right to insist on referral for assessment. If your doctor does not share your concerns, it is within your right to seek out a second opinion.
If an assessment for Autism for your child was suggested to you by a Speech-Language Pathologist, preschool teacher, or other professional, you can request a letter of recommendation from them that you can bring to your appointment.
Are there private Autism/ASD assessments in BC?
Yes, private assessments in BC are available and you will be able to apply for funding through Autism Funding Branch (Step 3 in this article). Instead of a Clinical Outcomes Form that you would have received through BCAAN, you will instead bring your Non-BCAAN (Private) Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Form to your meeting with the social worker.
It is up to individual families to decide if public or private assessment is right for them. Autism assessment through public health (BCAAN) is free of charge for those with a BC Services Card, but the wait list is long. Autism assessment through private clinics in BC is charged to the family (often $2500 and up), but the wait list is likely shorter. Some families may be able to use their extended health benefits to help with private Autism assessment fees.
My child has already received a diagnosis of Autism and we just moved to BC, how can we secure Autism Funding?
Welcome to BC! We’re happy to have you 🙂
We recommend speaking to your family doctor who will be able to refer you to a qualified specialist (pediatrician, psychiatrist, or registered psychologist) who can confirm the diagnosis of your child (don’t have a family doctor? see the FAQ question above about finding one.)
Your doctor will fill out a Confirmation of Previous Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Form which you can then provide at your meeting with the social worker (Step 3 in this guide.)
To learn more about the topics in this article, please refer to the following websites/references:
- Disclaimer: While we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, please verify with the relevant organizations and check the websites above to find the most up-to-date information.